The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved a 5 percent tuition increase Friday for East Central University students for the 2011-12 academic year. ECU did not raise any student fees.

Undergraduate tuition will increase by $110.70 more per semester, based on a typical 15-hour semester. Graduate students enrolled in a typical 12-hour semester will face an additional $107.76 increase per semester.

A graduate of East Central University became the 52nd inductee into the Oklahoma Accounting Hall of Fame during the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants’ annual awards ceremony June 10 in Tulsa.

From the time she was a 15-year-old candy striper at Weatherford Regional Hospital, Rita J. Baumgartner, the daughter of Bob and Jo Ramsey of Weatherford, knew she wanted to work in the health care environment. Over the years she continued to work in hospitals in various capacities.“When I considered advancing my education,” she said, “I felt I had waited too long. However, my biggest advocate, (husband) Richard, advised me that whether I went to college or not, life would continue to pass by.”

East Central University's mission is to foster a learning environment in which students, faculty, staff, and communityinteract to educate students for life in a rapidly changing and culturally diverse society. Within its service area,East Central University provides leadership for economic development and cultural enhancement.